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Florida creates 14,580 jobs in March, third in nation

Staff Report

Published: Thursday, April 10, 2014 at 1:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 9:27 p.m.

Florida created 14,580 private sector jobs during March, a significant boost from February and more jobs than any other state except Texas and California, according to a Wednesday report from payroll processor ADP.

There were 35 percent more new jobs created last month than February's 10,580 added positions. But the job creation pace was still off from December, when Florida added 25,230 jobs, its best pace so far in 2013-14.

Texas had the biggest gains nationally, at 28,650 new positions, followed by California, at 25,500, ADP reported.

Rounding out the list of the states with the biggest job creation were New York (12,630), New Jersey (4,690) and Illinois (4,200).

"There is a clear divergence between employment growth in the South and West versus the Midwest and Northeast," said Ahu Yildirmaz, head of the ADP Research Institute. "The harsh winter in the Northeast and Midwest was certainly a factor, but this trend has been evident for over a year."

Of the positions created in Florida, 11,260, or about 77 percent, were service-producing, while 3,320, or 23 percent, were goods-producing.

Professional and business services added the most jobs of any sector, at 4,670. That was followed by natural resources/mining and construction, at 2,770.

The construction industry in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties has seen a significant increase in activity as have other markets across the state.

A separate report on Wednesday from Associated General Contractors of America showed there were 17,000 construction jobs in the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota market during February, an increase of 1,000 jobs, or 6 percent, from the same month a year ago.

Charlotte County had 2,900 jobs, an increase of 300, or 12 percent, from the same time in 2013, according to the trade group's analysis of federal jobs data.

The largest construction rebound in Florida during February was in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin area, where the 4,200 jobs were a 17 percent increase from a year ago.

Meanwhile, ADP's report also showed 1,910 news jobs in trade, transportation and utilities and 550 new positions in manufacturing.

ADP's figures cover only businesses and frequently diverge from the government's more comprehensive counts.

<p>Florida created 14,580 private sector jobs during March, a significant boost from February and more jobs than any other state except Texas and California, according to a Wednesday report from payroll processor ADP.</p><p>There were 35 percent more new jobs created last month than February's 10,580 added positions. But the job creation pace was still off from December, when Florida added 25,230 jobs, its best pace so far in 2013-14.</p><p>Texas had the biggest gains nationally, at 28,650 new positions, followed by California, at 25,500, ADP reported.</p><p>Rounding out the list of the states with the biggest job creation were New York (12,630), New Jersey (4,690) and Illinois (4,200).</p><p>"There is a clear divergence between employment growth in the South and West versus the Midwest and Northeast," said Ahu Yildirmaz, head of the ADP Research Institute. "The harsh winter in the Northeast and Midwest was certainly a factor, but this trend has been evident for over a year."</p><p>Of the positions created in Florida, 11,260, or about 77 percent, were service-producing, while 3,320, or 23 percent, were goods-producing.</p><p>Professional and business services added the most jobs of any sector, at 4,670. That was followed by natural resources/mining and construction, at 2,770.</p><p>The construction industry in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties has seen a significant increase in activity as have other markets across the state.</p><p>A separate report on Wednesday from Associated General Contractors of America showed there were 17,000 construction jobs in the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota market during February, an increase of 1,000 jobs, or 6 percent, from the same month a year ago.</p><p>Charlotte County had 2,900 jobs, an increase of 300, or 12 percent, from the same time in 2013, according to the trade group's analysis of federal jobs data.</p><p>The largest construction rebound in Florida during February was in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin area, where the 4,200 jobs were a 17 percent increase from a year ago.</p><p>Meanwhile, ADP's report also showed 1,910 news jobs in trade, transportation and utilities and 550 new positions in manufacturing.</p><p>ADP's figures cover only businesses and frequently diverge from the government's more comprehensive counts.</p>